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WPOW in Wikipedia ... and WGBS-FM & 96X

9

954

Guest
WPOW is in Wikipedia -- as are some other local
stations -- I haven't checked.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPOW-FM

But it is incorrect. Here's the first sentence:

"In the 1970s the 96.5 signal was a very successful
Top 40 as 96X but would sign off by 1980."

I remember that it was 96.3 back then -- WGBS-FM.
And successor 96X was WMJX? That I'm not sure of.

Why do I remember this? I thought it was interesting
that WIOD was 610 and WGBS 710, while they were
reversed on FM: WIOD-FM on 97.3 (now WFLC) and WGBS
on 96.3.

Maybe someone who worked there and remembers more
about the era would like to elaborate and fix
this article?

And maybe tell the story about why and when the
frequency was changed. Even if that's too much
detail for Wikipedia, it'd make a nice item for
South Florida Radio History!

I'd heard that it was changed to allow another station
(Orlando?) on 96.3 without interference, but I don't
know the details.

BTW, Peppertree has written an item about Bwana
Johnny to be added to Radio News and Radio History in
December. I'll announce it here when it's posted.

73s from 954<P ID="signature">______________
<center><font color=green size="+1">South Florida Radio Pages -- November Radio News</font></center></P>
 
96 X was around until the mid 80s. That's when 96.3 moved up the dial to 96.5, and switched from CHR/Pop to CHR/Dance.
The reason it moved up to 96.5 was in order to make room for a new Miami station to be located at 95.7. I think before Spanish it was known as a Smooth Jazz/New Age station known as 95.7 The Wave. So as you can see it had nothing to do with Orlando. In fact, Orlando stations use some of the SAME frequencies as Miami: XL 106.7, 105.9-Orock, Mix 105.1, K-92 and yes 96.5 HTQ
Same is true for Tampa using some of the same frequencies as Miami: Mix 100.7, Magic 94.9, 95.7 The Beat, 101.5 The Point, US 103.5.
Or some of the same frquencies as West Palm Beach: 98 Rock, Wild 98.7, 105.5 The Dove.

Usually stations that are 4 hours apart can be on the same frequency, unless both have smaller transmitting areas: Indie 103.1 can be heard on two different 103.1 frequencies in some parts of metro Los Angeles.
 
> 96 X was around until the mid 80s. That's when 96.3 moved up
> the dial to 96.5, and switched from CHR/Pop to CHR/Dance.
> The reason it moved up to 96.5 was in order to make room for
> a new Miami station to be located at 95.7. I think before
> Spanish it was known as a Smooth Jazz/New Age station known
> as 95.7 The Wave. So as you can see it had nothing to do
> with Orlando. In fact, Orlando stations use some of the SAME
> frequencies as Miami: XL 106.7, 105.9-Orock, Mix 105.1, K-92
> and yes 96.5 HTQ
> Same is true for Tampa using some of the same frequencies as
> Miami: Mix 100.7, Magic 94.9, 95.7 The Beat, 101.5 The
> Point, US 103.5.
> Or some of the same frquencies as West Palm Beach: 98 Rock,
> Wild 98.7, 105.5 The Dove.
>
> Usually stations that are 4 hours apart can be on the same
> frequency, unless both have smaller transmitting areas:
> Indie 103.1 can be heard on two different 103.1 frequencies
> in some parts of metro Los Angeles.

Another error I picked up in the article: WPOW had phased the dance tracks out of their playlist by 2000, not 2002. There was a huge void just waiting to be filled when WPYM came along in 2002. If the two stations had respectively dropped and added dance in 2002 as the article suggests, I doubt WPYM would have had what success it did.<P ID="signature">______________
"Once a week, recovering illusionist Roy Horn reportedly visits Montecore, the tiger that mauled him. Though disturbingly, they’re conjugal visits!" -- Horatio Sanz
http://theradioblog.blogspot.com</P>
 
> > 96 X was around until the mid 80s. That's when 96.3 moved
> up
> > the dial to 96.5, and switched from CHR/Pop to CHR/Dance.
>
> > The reason it moved up to 96.5 was in order to make room
> for
> > a new Miami station to be located at 95.7. I think before
> > Spanish it was known as a Smooth Jazz/New Age station
> known
> > as 95.7 The Wave. So as you can see it had nothing to do
> > with Orlando. In fact, Orlando stations use some of the
> SAME
> > frequencies as Miami: XL 106.7, 105.9-Orock, Mix 105.1,
> K-92
> > and yes 96.5 HTQ
> > Same is true for Tampa using some of the same frequencies
> as
> > Miami: Mix 100.7, Magic 94.9, 95.7 The Beat, 101.5 The
> > Point, US 103.5.
> > Or some of the same frquencies as West Palm Beach: 98
> Rock,
> > Wild 98.7, 105.5 The Dove.
> >
> > Usually stations that are 4 hours apart can be on the same
>
> > frequency, unless both have smaller transmitting areas:
> > Indie 103.1 can be heard on two different 103.1
> frequencies
> > in some parts of metro Los Angeles.
>
> Another error I picked up in the article: WPOW had phased
> the dance tracks out of their playlist by 2000, not 2002.
> There was a huge void just waiting to be filled when WPYM
> came along in 2002. If the two stations had respectively
> dropped and added dance in 2002 as the article suggests, I
> doubt WPYM would have had what success it did.

Yes, I liked the short-lived WXDJ jazz format.

Still another error... WPYM (We Play Yucky Music)
replaced WTMI at noon 12/31/01. Not 2002.

Thanks for the info.

Since you both know more about the topic than I do,
maybe you'll volunteer to revise it?

73s from 954<P ID="signature">______________
<center><font color=green size="+1">South Florida Radio Pages -- November Radio News</font></center></P>
 
> 96 X was around until the mid 80s. That's when 96.3 moved up
> the dial to 96.5, and switched from CHR/Pop to CHR/Dance.

96-X actually lost its licence due to fraudulent contesting.

> The reason it moved up to 96.5 was in order to make room for
> a new Miami station to be located at 95.7.

The Goulds Class A on 98.3 became a Class C on the WCIX tower in Redlands around 1995 or 1996, if I recall.

> I think before
> Spanish it was known as a Smooth Jazz/New Age station known
> as 95.7 The Wave.

It was owned by the Potamkins along with Russ Oasis, who later bought Amaturo´s station on 106.7 and made it Romance.

> Usually stations that are 4 hours apart can be on the same
> frequency, unless both have smaller transmitting areas:
> Indie 103.1 can be heard on two different 103.1 frequencies
> in some parts of metro Los Angeles.

These are co-engineered Class A stations, with very limited protection due to low power.
>
 
> > 96 X was around until the mid 80s. That's when 96.3 moved
> up
> > the dial to 96.5, and switched from CHR/Pop to CHR/Dance.
>
> > The reason it moved up to 96.5 was in order to make room
> for
> > a new Miami station to be located at 95.7. I think before
> > Spanish it was known as a Smooth Jazz/New Age station
> known
> > as 95.7 The Wave. So as you can see it had nothing to do
> > with Orlando. In fact, Orlando stations use some of the
> SAME
> > frequencies as Miami: XL 106.7, 105.9-Orock, Mix 105.1,
> K-92
> > and yes 96.5 HTQ
> > Same is true for Tampa using some of the same frequencies
> as
> > Miami: Mix 100.7, Magic 94.9, 95.7 The Beat, 101.5 The
> > Point, US 103.5.
> > Or some of the same frquencies as West Palm Beach: 98
> Rock,
> > Wild 98.7, 105.5 The Dove.
> >
> > Usually stations that are 4 hours apart can be on the same
>
> > frequency, unless both have smaller transmitting areas:
> > Indie 103.1 can be heard on two different 103.1
> frequencies
> > in some parts of metro Los Angeles.
>
> Another error I picked up in the article: WPOW had phased
> the dance tracks out of their playlist by 2000, not 2002.
> There was a huge void just waiting to be filled when WPYM
> came along in 2002. If the two stations had respectively
> dropped and added dance in 2002 as the article suggests, I
> doubt WPYM would have had what success it did.
>

Power 96 was still playing some Dance when Party 93.1 launched, just not as much as they used to up till 2000. Remember Gigi D'agostino's "I'll Fly With You", or Modjo's "Lady?
In fact, on the very night Party 93.1 launched, Power 96 DJs were referring to Power as Miami's real party station, and played "I'll Fly With You".
 
> > > 96 X was around until the mid 80s. That's when 96.3
> moved
> > up
> > > the dial to 96.5, and switched from CHR/Pop to
> CHR/Dance.
> >
> > > The reason it moved up to 96.5 was in order to make room
>
> > for
> > > a new Miami station to be located at 95.7. I think
> before
> > > Spanish it was known as a Smooth Jazz/New Age station
> > known
> > > as 95.7 The Wave. So as you can see it had nothing to do
>
> > > with Orlando. In fact, Orlando stations use some of the
> > SAME
> > > frequencies as Miami: XL 106.7, 105.9-Orock, Mix 105.1,
> > K-92
> > > and yes 96.5 HTQ
> > > Same is true for Tampa using some of the same
> frequencies
> > as
> > > Miami: Mix 100.7, Magic 94.9, 95.7 The Beat, 101.5 The
> > > Point, US 103.5.
> > > Or some of the same frquencies as West Palm Beach: 98
> > Rock,
> > > Wild 98.7, 105.5 The Dove.
> > >
> > > Usually stations that are 4 hours apart can be on the
> same
> >
> > > frequency, unless both have smaller transmitting areas:
> > > Indie 103.1 can be heard on two different 103.1
> > frequencies
> > > in some parts of metro Los Angeles.
> >
> > Another error I picked up in the article: WPOW had phased
> > the dance tracks out of their playlist by 2000, not 2002.
>
> > There was a huge void just waiting to be filled when WPYM
> > came along in 2002. If the two stations had respectively
> > dropped and added dance in 2002 as the article suggests, I
>
> > doubt WPYM would have had what success it did.
>
> Yes, I liked the short-lived WXDJ jazz format.
>
> Still another error... WPYM (We Play Yucky Music)
> replaced WTMI at noon 12/31/01. Not 2002.
>
> Thanks for the info.
>
> Since you both know more about the topic than I do,
> maybe you'll volunteer to revise it?
>
> 73s from 954
>
96.3 used the WMYQ call letters from 1971 - 1975 (and then they changed to WMXJ 96X. The station was modeled after 99X (WXLO) in New York.
I was able to listen to WMYQ in Dundedin Florida (near Tampa) with a 10 element winegard antenna -- it was the only live Top-40 FM station I could get at the time. I remember Lee Baby Sims as one of the personalities.

<P ID="signature">______________
Tom S</P>
 
> 96.3 used the WMYQ call letters from 1971 - 1975 (and then
> they changed to WMXJ 96X. The station was modeled after 99X
> (WXLO) in New York.
> I was able to listen to WMYQ in Dundedin Florida (near
> Tampa) with a 10 element winegard antenna -- it was the only
> live Top-40 FM station I could get at the time. I remember
> Lee Baby Sims as one of the personalities.

WMXJ is the current Majic 102.7.

I thought that 96X was WMJX or something similar. Or am I wrong?

73s from 954<P ID="signature">______________
<center><font color=green size="+1">South Florida Radio Pages -- November Radio News</font></center></P>
 
Wikipedia can be edited

Y'all know, Wikipedia can be edited...I went in there and fixed the simple issues, like the "96.5" being that station's frequency for all its' life, and the fact that MJX had signed off in '80 (was actually sometime early 81, I think March)....But anyone better versed could probably add alot more, like the Bartell "Q" format, Disco Radio, a whole part on that station's loss of license, etc...
 
Re: Wikipedia can be edited

> Y'all know, Wikipedia can be edited...I went in there and
> fixed the simple issues, like the "96.5" being that
> station's frequency for all its' life, and the fact that MJX
> had signed off in '80 (was actually sometime early 81, I
> think March)....But anyone better versed could probably add
> alot more, like the Bartell "Q" format, Disco Radio, a whole
> part on that station's loss of license, etc...

Right. That's what I was suggesting. Maybe I wasn't clear?

73s from 954<P ID="signature">______________
<center><font color=green size="+1">South Florida Radio Pages -- November Radio News</font></center></P>
 
> Power 96 was still playing some Dance when Party 93.1
> launched, just not as much as they used to up till 2000.
> Remember Gigi D'agostino's "I'll Fly With You", or Modjo's
> "Lady?
> In fact, on the very night Party 93.1 launched, Power 96 DJs
> were referring to Power as Miami's real party station, and
> played "I'll Fly With You".

Yes, but the effort was nowhere near what it could and should have been. "I'll Fly With You" and "Lady" alone wouldn't cut it. They let their dance-loving listeners down... hard... in 2000. If someone was expecting to hear dance on Power 96 after that point, it would have been all but a lost cause.<P ID="signature">______________
"Once a week, recovering illusionist Roy Horn reportedly visits Montecore, the tiger that mauled him. Though disturbingly, they’re conjugal visits!" -- Horatio Sanz
http://theradioblog.blogspot.com</P>
 
> > 96.3 used the WMYQ call letters from 1971 - 1975 (and then
>
> > they changed to WMXJ 96X. The station was modeled after
> 99X
> > (WXLO) in New York.
> > I was able to listen to WMYQ in Dundedin Florida (near
> > Tampa) with a 10 element winegard antenna -- it was the
> only
> > live Top-40 FM station I could get at the time. I remember
>
> > Lee Baby Sims as one of the personalities.
>
> WMXJ is the current Majic 102.7.
>
> I thought that 96X was WMJX or something similar. Or am I
> wrong?
>
> 73s from 954

No, you're right... 96X was WMJX.<P ID="signature">______________
"Once a week, recovering illusionist Roy Horn reportedly visits Montecore, the tiger that mauled him. Though disturbingly, they’re conjugal visits!" -- Horatio Sanz
http://theradioblog.blogspot.com</P>
 
Re: Wikipedia can be edited

> > Y'all know, Wikipedia can be edited...I went in there and
> > fixed the simple issues
>
> Right. That's what I was suggesting. Maybe I wasn't clear?
>

I think he was wondering why you didn't just fix the mistakes yourself, rather than posting here about them<P ID="signature">______________
Need part-time or weekend production/air talent? Email me</P>
 
Don't know much about ... WPOW

> > > Y'all know, Wikipedia can be edited...I went in there and
> > > fixed the simple issues
> > Right. That's what I was suggesting. Maybe I wasn't clear?
>
> I think he was wondering why you didn't just fix the
> mistakes yourself, rather than posting here about them

Because I wasn't a fan of the stations mentioned, and most
of what I know about them I learned on this board yesterday.

For exmple, I knew it had been on 96.3, but I didn't know
the details.

Why should I take credit for their memories?

73s from 954
<P ID="signature">______________
Have You Seen <font color='#aabbcc' size='+1'>South Florida Radio History</font></P>
 
Re: Wikipedia can be edited

> I think he was wondering why you didn't just fix the
> mistakes yourself, rather than posting here about them

Um, if you'd read the Wikipedia entry, I *did* correct the mistakes...What I meant to say (obviously was not understood), was that there were others who could add *yet even more details* (ie, those who worked in radio at the time, that know specifics I don't) to the Wiki than I had added yesterday.....
 
Re: Wikipedia can be edited

> > I think he was wondering why you didn't just fix the
> > mistakes yourself, rather than posting here about them
>
> Um, if you'd read the Wikipedia entry, I *did* correct the
> mistakes...What I meant to say (obviously was not
> understood), was that there were others who could add *yet
> even more details* (ie, those who worked in radio at the
> time, that know specifics I don't) to the Wiki than I had
> added yesterday.....

Which I did. I also did a little editing to make it a bit easier to understand (not your fault, bossmsx... a lot of what was there to begin with was pretty difficult to comprehend with just one glance).<P ID="signature">______________
"Once a week, recovering illusionist Roy Horn reportedly visits Montecore, the tiger that mauled him. Though disturbingly, they’re conjugal visits!" -- Horatio Sanz
http://theradioblog.blogspot.com</P>
 
Re: Wikipedia can be edited

> > I think he was wondering why you didn't just fix the
> > mistakes yourself, rather than posting here about them
>
> Um, if you'd read the Wikipedia entry, I *did* correct the
> mistakes...

Right, I got that. I was referring to your initial comment, which was something like "You know Wikipedia can be edited, right?" in response to 954's original post about the errors on the page. Sorry for the miscommunication<P ID="signature">______________
Need part-time or weekend production/air talent? Email me</P>
 
> > > 96.3 used the WMYQ call letters from 1971 - 1975 (and
> then
> >
> > > they changed to WMXJ 96X. The station was modeled after
>
> > 99X
> > > (WXLO) in New York.
> > > I was able to listen to WMYQ in Dundedin Florida (near
> > > Tampa) with a 10 element winegard antenna -- it was the
> > only
> > > live Top-40 FM station I could get at the time. I
> remember
> >
> > > Lee Baby Sims as one of the personalities.
> >
> > WMXJ is the current Majic 102.7.
> >
> > I thought that 96X was WMJX or something similar. Or am I
> > wrong?
> >
> > 73s from 954
>
> No, you're right... 96X was WMJX.
>
I was at WMYQ for the 3 days prior to format/call letter change. WMJX/96X was born October 1st, 1975. MJX was decided for "The Majic Is In The Music". It lasted thru April of 1979 when they flipped format, becoming "Disco96". I knew the format wouldn't work, and as I left for a "vacation" I told the then PD that a "Pure Disco" format wouldn't work. Sure enough, in November 1979, the format flipped back and 96X returned. I returned in June 1980, and stayed thru the end. We lost the battle with the FCC in January 1981, and they gave us till April, when we were to cease operations. So rather than beat a dead horse, mostly because Bartell Broadcasting did so much damage with contests (Magnum Force <The winners won a supposed corporation..this was before my time there>, Austin in the Triangle <morning announcer Greg Austin was doing a live broadcast and disappeared, having the Coast Guard, Marine Patrol, FHP & other local authorites looking for him, based on the stations fradulent news broadcasts that he disappeared, only to be a block from the station at the then Howard Johnsons @ 41st Street & Alton Road, sucking down a few cold ones..again, before my time there>, A Warehouse full of 10-Speeds..etc., etc., etc.) That the then owners/Charter Communications told us that February 15th at midnight we would pull the plug. Since I had a history at the station, I was given the honor (if that's what you want to call it) of being the last voice, as well as shutting down the transmitter. At 12:03am, I hit the transmitter button for the last time & that was it. The frequency was supposed to be silent for a period of 7 years, but, Wodlinger Broadcasting (out of Texas) paid off 2 or 3 other companies that wanted the frequency & got the license for about 2 million dollars. I was at I-95FM at the time, and as a joke, my PD said I should inquire about signing them back on since I signed them off. After a little searching, I contacted Wodlinger and stated my case. He directed me to the PD to be, and wouldn't you know it. Not only did I get to sign them on, I was hired as Assistant PD/MD/6-10PM Announcer <snicker>. We signed on June 1985. WCJX (CJ is the initals for Mrs. Wodlinger)/96X was Re-born. They made it 96X again for the simple reason, that after 4 years of being "dark", the name still showed up in surveys. A few months later (reasoning explained in other posts), we flipped from 96.3 to 96.5. 96X lasted just over a year, becoming Power Hits 96X, then in August 1986, Power 96 was born as a Urban CHR/Dance format. The rest as they say...Is history. Anything else you want to know...email me: [email protected] & i'll try to answer your questions.
 
> > > > 96.3 used the WMYQ call letters from 1971 - 1975 (and
> > then
> > >
> > > > they changed to WMXJ 96X. The station was modeled
> after
> >
> > > 99X
> > > > (WXLO) in New York.
> > > > I was able to listen to WMYQ in Dundedin Florida (near
>
> > > > Tampa) with a 10 element winegard antenna -- it was
> the
> > > only
> > > > live Top-40 FM station I could get at the time. I
> > remember
> > >
> > > > Lee Baby Sims as one of the personalities.
> > >
> > > WMXJ is the current Majic 102.7.
> > >
> > > I thought that 96X was WMJX or something similar. Or am
> I
> > > wrong?
> > >
> > > 73s from 954
> >
> > No, you're right... 96X was WMJX.
> >
> I was at WMYQ for the 3 days prior to format/call letter
> change. WMJX/96X was born October 1st, 1975. MJX was
> decided for "The Majic Is In The Music". It lasted thru
> April of 1979 when they flipped format, becoming "Disco96".
> I knew the format wouldn't work, and as I left for a
> "vacation" I told the then PD that a "Pure Disco" format
> wouldn't work. Sure enough, in November 1979, the format
> flipped back and 96X returned. I returned in June 1980, and
> stayed thru the end. We lost the battle with the FCC in
> January 1981, and they gave us till April, when we were to
> cease operations. So rather than beat a dead horse, mostly
> because Bartell Broadcasting did so much damage with
> contests (Magnum Force , Austin in the Triangle , A
> Warehouse full of 10-Speeds..etc., etc., etc.) That the then
> owners/Charter Communications told us that February 15th at
> midnight we would pull the plug. Since I had a history at
> the station, I was given the honor (if that's what you want
> to call it) of being the last voice, as well as shutting
> down the transmitter. At 12:03am, I hit the transmitter
> button for the last time & that was it. The frequency was
> supposed to be silent for a period of 7 years, but,
> Wodlinger Broadcasting (out of Texas) paid off 2 or 3 other
> companies that wanted the frequency & got the license for
> about 2 million dollars. I was at I-95FM at the time, and
> as a joke, my PD said I should inquire about signing them
> back on since I signed them off. After a little searching,
> I contacted Wodlinger and stated my case. He directed me to
> the PD to be, and wouldn't you know it. Not only did I get
> to sign them on, I was hired as Assistant PD/MD/6-10PM
> Announcer . We signed on June 1985. WCJX (CJ is the
> initals for Mrs. Wodlinger)/96X was Re-born. They made it
> 96X again for the simple reason, that after 4 years of being
> "dark", the name still showed up in surveys. A few months
> later (reasoning explained in other posts), we flipped from
> 96.3 to 96.5. 96X lasted just over a year, becoming Power
> Hits 96X, then in August 1986, Power 96 was born as a Urban
> CHR/Dance format. The rest as they say...Is history.
> Anything else you want to know...email me: [email protected] &
> i'll try to answer your questions.
>
Didn't the new WCJX have a very limited playlist -- I recall something about 16 songs or the "top 16" or something like that. Also, wasn't the last song on 96x (in 1981) "The Long and Winding Road". Thanks Tom S
<P ID="signature">______________
Tom S</P>
 
> > > > > 96.3 used the WMYQ call letters from 1971 - 1975
> (and
> > > then
> > > >
> > > > > they changed to WMXJ 96X. The station was modeled
> > after
> > >
> > > > 99X
> > > > > (WXLO) in New York.
> > > > > I was able to listen to WMYQ in Dundedin Florida
> (near
> >
> > > > > Tampa) with a 10 element winegard antenna -- it was
> > the
> > > > only
> > > > > live Top-40 FM station I could get at the time. I
> > > remember
> > > >
> > > > > Lee Baby Sims as one of the personalities.
> > > >
> > > > WMXJ is the current Majic 102.7.
> > > >
> > > > I thought that 96X was WMJX or something similar. Or
> am
> > I
> > > > wrong?
> > > >
> > > > 73s from 954
> > >
> > > No, you're right... 96X was WMJX.
> > >
> > I was at WMYQ for the 3 days prior to format/call letter
> > change. WMJX/96X was born October 1st, 1975. MJX was
> > decided for "The Majic Is In The Music". It lasted thru
> > April of 1979 when they flipped format, becoming
> "Disco96".
> > I knew the format wouldn't work, and as I left for a
> > "vacation" I told the then PD that a "Pure Disco" format
> > wouldn't work. Sure enough, in November 1979, the format
> > flipped back and 96X returned. I returned in June 1980,
> and
> > stayed thru the end. We lost the battle with the FCC in
> > January 1981, and they gave us till April, when we were to
>
> > cease operations. So rather than beat a dead horse,
> mostly
> > because Bartell Broadcasting did so much damage with
> > contests (Magnum Force , Austin in the Triangle , A
> > Warehouse full of 10-Speeds..etc., etc., etc.) That the
> then
> > owners/Charter Communications told us that February 15th
> at
> > midnight we would pull the plug. Since I had a history at
>
> > the station, I was given the honor (if that's what you
> want
> > to call it) of being the last voice, as well as shutting
> > down the transmitter. At 12:03am, I hit the transmitter
> > button for the last time & that was it. The frequency was
>
> > supposed to be silent for a period of 7 years, but,
> > Wodlinger Broadcasting (out of Texas) paid off 2 or 3
> other
> > companies that wanted the frequency & got the license for
> > about 2 million dollars. I was at I-95FM at the time, and
>
> > as a joke, my PD said I should inquire about signing them
> > back on since I signed them off. After a little
> searching,
> > I contacted Wodlinger and stated my case. He directed me
> to
> > the PD to be, and wouldn't you know it. Not only did I
> get
> > to sign them on, I was hired as Assistant PD/MD/6-10PM
> > Announcer . We signed on June 1985. WCJX (CJ is the
> > initals for Mrs. Wodlinger)/96X was Re-born. They made it
>
> > 96X again for the simple reason, that after 4 years of
> being
> > "dark", the name still showed up in surveys. A few months
> > later (reasoning explained in other posts), we flipped
> from
> > 96.3 to 96.5. 96X lasted just over a year, becoming Power
> > Hits 96X, then in August 1986, Power 96 was born as a
> Urban
> > CHR/Dance format. The rest as they say...Is history.
> > Anything else you want to know...email me: [email protected]
> &
> > i'll try to answer your questions.
> >
> Didn't the new WCJX have a very limited playlist -- I recall
> something about 16 songs or the "top 16" or something like
> that. Also, wasn't the last song on 96x (in 1981) "The Long
> and Winding Road". Thanks Tom S
>
Yes Tom....Unlike most stations that just have a format change, When we were going back on the air as 96X, we were basically starting from scratch. So, we had the "Super 16". You took the 16 most popular songs in South Florida and placed them in a power rotation. Over and over and over. Why play the heck out of them? Simple. If you've been on air, you know that you could just play a popular song, and listeners would be on the request line minutes later asking for that same song again. We promo'd it as "You'll always know when your favorite song is coming up...Continuous Countdown...96X!!"

To offset the 16 songs, each hour we played 2 "96X Flashbacks". Those were songs in the last 10 or so years & helped break the cycle of the quickly rotating Super 16. Some people laughed, but as a start up, we hit a 2.0 in our first Arbitron. Alot of stations, with the way their ratings were (And some are today), would have died to have a 2 share.

As for the last official song at the original 96X, it was in fact The Beatles-Long And Winding Road. As a going away present, that cart has been in my posession ever since. I figured they wouldn't be needing it any longer. Being the first station I ever worked at, it was like losing a friend. Alot of tears were shed by staff members & especially myself. My final break, as well as GM Bob Allens final comments, The Long and Winding Road & my sign off, are on some web sites. To say it was emotional is an understatement.
Regards-<P ID="signature">______________
Stuart Elliott/TOP 40 DJ</P>
 
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